Breastfeeding: getting started

Welcome to parenthood, both an exciting and challenging new chapter of life. You are about to experience every emotion known to woman—unbelievable joy, pride, delight, fulfilment, as well as frustration, anxiety, guilt and anger—all possibly in the space of a minute. While becoming a mum is life-changing, it’s not always easy. Breastfeeding is a classic example. Just because it’s natural, doesn’t mean it comes naturally to everyone.

Breastfeeding is one of the challenges facing new mothers, but with the right help, most women will be able to regularly breastfeed their baby.

In Australia, it is recommended that you breastfeed your baby exclusively for around the first 6 months. Breastmilk is all the food and drink that a baby needs for the first 6 months. It is also recommended that once you introduce your baby to solids you continue to breastfeed your baby until 12 months of age and beyond, for as long as you and your baby desire. 

Benefits

For the baby

It has been scientifically proven that if you breastfeed, you’ll help protect your baby against illnesses, including:

• gastro-intestinal infections
• chest infections
• urine infections
• ear infections
• diabetes
• obesity
• asthma
• eczema.

Research also indicates that breastfeeding can help protect your baby from:

• sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• childhood leukaemia
• heart disease
• inflammatory bowel disease
• coeliac disease.

For mum

• Breastfeeding will help your body to get over the birth quicker—it  reduces your risk of haemorrahage, leads to improved iron status, and it also helps you regain your pre-pregnancy body weight.
• There is some evidence that suggests that breastfeeding will help protect you from breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis.
• If you develop diabetes during your pregnancy it is especially important to breastfeed as it can reduce your chance of Type 2 diabetes.
• Breastfeeding will save you money (over $1,000 in 12 months on formula alone), and you don’t have to worry about preparing bottles every time you take the baby out.
• Breastfeeding releases hormones that make you feel relaxed and help you sleep easier.

Getting started

How to get the baby onto your breast

• Find a comfortable spot where you can sit and relax as lying down can be tricky at first. If you like, have a firm cushion to rest your baby or arm on.
• Have everything you might need close to hand—phone, pillow, glass of water—because breastfeeding may take some time. 
• Hold your unwrapped baby so that their head and body are in a straight line with your hands, supporting the neck (not the head) behind the shoulders. Gently turn your baby on their side so the baby’s body is facing your breast. Your baby may pop onto your breast and attach or may need guidance.
• Get your baby to open their mouth as wide as possible, as you’ll need to get both your nipple and areola (the dark bit around your nipple) into the baby’s mouth. A little stroke on the baby’s upper lip with your nipple should get the baby to open up.
• When the baby’s chin comes in contact with the breast, most babies will open their mouth and move forward onto the breast by themselves. If this does not happen, you can gently bring the baby towards the breast (remember it’s always baby to breast, not breast to baby). Aim to bring the baby’s nose up to your nipple. The baby should then tilt their head back slightly to get a good mouthful of breast. When the baby is correctly attached, the nose will be level with your nipple, but clear of your breast so they can still breathe.
• If it’s hurting, the baby is latching onto the nipple and not the breast. Slide your finger into the side of your baby’s mouth to break the latch and try again. Repeat if need be. Ask your midwife or clinic nurse for help as often as you need it. 
• The baby will usually come off the breast by themselves when full, however, some don’t. If the baby appears to have stopped feeding, but does not come off, you can use your finger in the side of your baby’s mouth to detach. Burp your baby and then offer the other breast. If the baby does not want to drink, that’s fine.

View images and videos of how to breastfeed.

Checking that your baby is attached properly

• Your baby will have a large mouthful of your breast, not just the nipple.
• Your baby’s lips will be slightly curled out—their chin will be touching your breast, while the nose will be clear.
• You might hear your baby gulp or swallow, this can be pretty cute.

Breastfeeding may be uncomfortable at first, but it should not be painful. If it is, take the baby off and start again. You may experience some tingling in your breast. This is a normal feeling as your milk is being let-down. Get help if the pain continues.

How can you tell if breastfeeding is going well?

• Your breasts and nipples are not sore.
• Your baby
  • is reasonably content for some time between feeds
  • manages to attach easily at most feeds
  • is healthy and is gaining weight
  • has at least 6 wet nappies a day.
• Your baby’s poo changes in colour, frequency and consistency over the first week. The number of bowel motions of breastfeed babies tends to decrease between 6 weeks and 3 months of age. Intervals of several days or more between stools are common.

Signs of hunger

Early signs that your baby is hungry may include:

• moving head from side-to-side as if looking for your breast
• sucking fist, fingers or thumbs
• turning face into your breast.

Late signs that your baby is hungry may include:

• moving head frantically from side-to-side
• crying—once your baby is crying it can be hard to get him or her to feed properly

Related information

• Common breastfeeding issues
• Breastfeeding: expressing breastmilk
• Breastfeeding and formula feeding
• Breastfeeding help and support